Albums you're looking forward to in 2013

[TurtleFu]

Yeah, there is no concern needed. Her hole persona is crafted on being an idol parody. And no "real" idol would something that is so obviously a vagina metaphor.
From the very beginning she's worn clothes like that and played alongside idols. I wonder if the people she shares a stage with are aware that she is making fun of them?

[Tokyo Jihad]

I had never viewed any of her work as Idol parody. She called out Kyary, she has maybe challenged the Idol scene.

[TurtleFu]

...
We're talking about Seiko Oomori, right?

She, like Togawa before her, puts on the identity of the idol but slyly subverts in some great ways. For example, there was a Tokyo Idol Festival where she played alongside the typcal idols groups, all of whom played the typical upbeat idol songs. She goes on, and brings out her acoustic guitar and sings an extremely emotive, stripped down set. It was so surreal, it was like watching Togawa's Tamahime-sama again.

I'm almost shocked that you don't see her as an idol parody, since to me it's so obvious. She's even done acoustic, downbeat covers versions of popular upbeat idol songs.

There's a very clear disconnect between how she's dressing and how she is performing, hinting at the robotic presentation and artifice of being an idol. Idols don't sing heartfelt folk songs with some pretty incisive lyrics.

[FadedSun]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Jihad

I had never viewed any of her work as Idol parody. She called out Kyary, she has maybe challenged the Idol scene.

What's the point? It will always exist as long as there is a market for it. Best to mind her business and do what she does instead of trying to bring down a brand of music that lots of people enjoy.

[Tokyo Jihad]

Originally Posted by FadedSun

What's the point? It will always exist as long as there is a market for it. Best to mind her business and do what she does instead of trying to bring down a brand of music that lots of people enjoy.

Not everybody agrees that the music that gets the most media attention is the music that deserves it. For a young artist like Seiko Oomori, that's pretty badass.

Re: turtle fu: Now, I didn't know about pop covers and all that. The only media I've had are her music releases this year, her ep last year, and a YouTube video dg sent me at the start of the year. So I don't know anything about how things are visually. While I don't recognize any jpop in jokes, just judging by what I heard I didn't pick out any parody sounds or irony. It all sounded personal and sincere. So yeah, concerns elevated.

[Inseu]

Music has to be personal and sincere, aka the most hopeless mindset when it comes to enjoying music.

[FadedSun]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Jihad

Not everybody agrees that the music that gets the most media attention is the music that deserves it. For a young artist like Seiko Oomori, that's pretty badass.

Of course. I'm not saying this vapid, idol-pop deserves the spotlight, but it's not going to go away. At least not now. She would be fighting a losing battle. I respect her trying to fight the battle, though.

There are some more creditable pop artists coming out of Japan, though. I always respected Utada as an artist.

[Tokyo Jihad]

Originally Posted by Inseu

Music has to be personal and sincere, aka the most hopeless mindset when it comes to enjoying music.

I'm just saying that's what I hear out of Oomori.

Faded Sun: I don't think it's about not listening or appreciating ANY jpop I think it's more like saying "if you think that's good then listen to this!" Artistically, losing battles are the best battles because you never stop trying

[TurtleFu]

Idol culture should be criticized. It is both a product of and contributes to an hostile social environment for Japanese women. I do not believe that it is completely harmless.

[deadgrandma]

@Jihad: Most of Oomoris stuff IS personal (right down to production). But she's still allowed to do covers (which, like Togawa, are more like De-constructions) right? She does dress like idol on occasion, but there will be added touches, like blood stains between her crotch or bruises on her neck etc...

I'm really not worried or judging the new album by its cover, I just think she looks amazing on it/obviously having a bit of fun with it like all her covers. She really just seems to be doing whatever the fuck she wants right now (the press release says that the new album was recorded entirely on analog equipment- a RARE thing in Japan, hell any music right now, this is the beauty of being on your own record label...)